A runtime, compiler, and toolchain.
Elide is an all-in-one platform that spans the full software development lifecycle. A single distribution compiles source, executes services, and orchestrates builds, consolidating responsibilities that traditionally require three separate toolchains into one cohesive product.
One runtime for JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python, with Java and Kotlin compiled and run on a bundled JDK 25. Node programs, node:* modules, and npm packages run directly, and fetch uses a native transport built on epoll, io_uring, or kqueue. With --interop, JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python call each other in one process, and JavaScript imports WebAssembly directly.
Built-in compilers for Java 25 and Kotlin 2.5, with no separate JDK install. GraalVM Native Image compiles JVM applications into standalone executables that need no JVM in production. TypeScript runs with its types stripped, without a tsconfig.json; run tsc through Elide to type-check. elide javac and elide kotlinc take the usual compiler flags after --.
A single CLI for dependency resolution, builds, container image assembly, and local development. Build definitions are declarative and typed, authored in Pkl. Maven builds run with elide mvn, Bazel can use Elide's compilers as persistent workers, and elide adopt migrates Maven and Gradle projects.
A modern toolchain for the JVM.
The JVM underpins a significant share of enterprise software, yet its traditional build tooling carries meaningful configuration and startup overhead. Elide provides a modern alternative without requiring teams to leave the ecosystem: same artifacts, same dependencies, substantially faster feedback loops.
Same inputs. Faster everything.
Elide works with your existing Java and Kotlin code and Maven dependencies. Run Maven builds with elide mvn, or move Maven and Gradle builds to elide.pkl with elide adopt. Only faster.
| Feature | Elide | Maven | Gradle | Bazel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold start | ~30ms | ~3s | ~6s | ~10s |
| Config format | Pkl (typed) | XML | Groovy / KTS | Starlark |
| No build plugins | ✓ | × | × | × |
| Native compilation | ✓ | × | × | × |
| Container images | Built-in | Plugin | Plugin | rules_oci |
| Multi-language | ✓ | JVM only | JVM only | ✓ |
| Learning curve | Minimal | Steep | Steep | Very steep |
An open, production-grade foundation.
Elide integrates mature open-source components that the industry already depends on, then delivers them through a unified interface. Each foundational technology is listed below for transparency and to invite review.
A brief history of runtimes
Every decade, a new abstraction makes software faster to write and slower to run.
Elide breaks that pattern.
Machine Code & Assembly
Software written directly for hardware. Maximum performance, zero portability. Every machine was an island.
C & Unix
Ritchie and Thompson proved systems software could be portable without being slow. C became the lingua franca.
Java & Python
Virtual machines and interpreters traded performance for productivity. Enterprise chose Java. Scientists chose Python. The split began.
Chrome & V8
Google proved interpreted languages could be fast with JIT compilation. Node.js followed. Everyone started writing servers in a browser language.
One binary. Your favorite language. Native performance.